cloying

I've eaten at Union three times in the last couple of months, all of them were fine and I think it's a great value, but I have a hard time thinking that it even comes close to a "Best Restaurant" in the city, let alone country, and certainly not in the world. I love that Ethan is pushing food and dining, and I like the presence of more tasting menus, but each of the last visits not a single course, made me pause and say,"this is really amazing, how did he do that". I had some really well cooked duck that I enjoyed, but the sauce was overly sweet for my liking. I'm a fan of Union, but I think it still has growing to do, as I would guess the Chef would agree. I'll keep supporting it, especially because of the value, the price point makes it easy to enjoy, so on that side I think they are doing a great job! As for best place in the city, I consistently think that goes to Harvest Vine.

I love Portland and am looking for a new suggestion of where to dine while I'm there. I've tried the big names, Higgins, Paleys, Wildwood, Genoa, any other places I should try? What's the most inovative place right now? Thanks.

As opposed to a comparison to anywhere else I'd like to talk about what is lacking in the PNW, especially Seattle. It's as if we have only the middle ground restaurants and no or at least not enough, high end or low end. The top end is getting better, but there are no really high end places, there are places with great food and an ok room and ok service, or you can change the variables and get a great room with ok food. There are a lot of places where you can go and have an pretty good meal but very few if any that will really compare with what you can get in NY, LA or Chicago, let alone Paris. For the low end I want cheap great food that feels like a value. I've been loving Paseo lately, a great sandwich that I feel has value. I'm not looking for a 2 dollar dinner as much as I'm looking for something I'm excited about that doesn't end up costing $40. In other cities it seems that there are more value places. I think Seattle is a hugely over rated food city. Great ingredients, but a lack of anyone doing amazing things with them.

I work in technology and don't have to dress well for work, so while traveling for work I'll just be wearing button up shirts and slacks. No need for a jacket. And I hate to bring a jacket for only one dinner, I don't have wrinkle free wear, my dress wear wrinkles...

Great, so in a nice shirt and pants, very upmarkey looking, I can dine at Gordon Ramsey's and other fine dining establishments? I would have felt out of place in just a shirt and pants in Paris. Thanks

I'm going to be in London for two nights on the way to and back from elsewhere. I want to go to enjoy the best restaurants but won't be traveling with a suit of a jacket. I'm a sucker for fine dining, but like to feel comfortable and hate being the only person without a suit on. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Maybe it's opening jitters... while I liked a lot of the ideas for the restaurant and the room the food left something to be desired, most notable warmth. Nothing was hot, even after asking for a course that was hot! It was a cold night, and while I didn't have the soup none of the meats were hot by the time I got them in my mouth. The scallops were great, but only one tiny slice of Oregon truffle, some generosity would have been nice. The wine list was odd, not a half bottle on the list, and while I like short lists, I like ones that are a little more diverse than this one. And the potatoes, Robuchon's potatoes poor off the spoon, these weren't as good as the potatoes I just had for Thanksgiving. I'll try the restaurant again at some point because I like the idea, but there are some things to be worked on there. cloying